PENNSYLVANIA, January 20 - (2) Prior to voting on the confirmation of any nominee

for appointment to the Supreme Court, Superior Court or

Commonwealth Court, or a court of common pleas, a public,

televised confirmation hearing shall be conducted in which

equal time is reserved for questions from the majority

chairperson and the minority chairperson of the designated

committee to which the nomination has been referred.

(3) The person so appointed shall serve for a term

ending on the first Monday of January following the next

municipal election more than ten months after the vacancy

occurs or for the remainder of the unexpired term whichever

is less.

(a.1) Judicial vacancies public comment period.--

(1) Upon the occurrence of a vacancy under subsection

(a), the Governor shall direct the Office of General Counsel

to solicit applications for the vacancy for a period of not

less than 30 days.

(2) Following the application period, the Office of

General Counsel shall publish on a publicly accessible

Internet website the application materials of each applicant,

redacting personal information as defined by section 708(b)

(6)(i) of the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known

as the Right-to-Know Law, for a period of not less than 30

days, during which time the Governor shall refrain from

making an appointment. Public comment received during this

period shall be furnished to the majority and minority

chairpersons of the designated committee to which the

nomination has been referred.

(3) Thereafter, the Governor shall submit to the Senate

a nominee for the advice and consent of the Senate from among

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